I read an editorial this morning about the tragic deaths of young people on the streets of Rochester, New York. The shootings are seldom random. When the victim comes face-to-face with their known assailant, they see the hatred in their eyes. They see the gun pointed at them. They know they won’t survive. The streets are no longer safe. My son lives on Lake Avenue in Charlotte, and he has had police right outside his door. A man was beating a woman in his front yard. He bought a dog, built a fence, and put security lights outside his home. Although he has only been there a mere seven months, he is ready to move to the country and will rent his home.
Whenever I consider how dangerous the streets are in Rochester, I often think of the homeless. It is becoming more and more difficult for them to find a place to rest their cold and weary bodies for the night. The shelters are full and the police have closed off the one and only warm place to sleep for the night and that is the Civic Center parking garage. Soon they will be tearing down the underground subway, another place the homeless reside. They are building luxury apartments and the underground subway will be the parking garage for the apartments. A homeless dwelling for a luxury apartment, it seems ironic, doesn’t it? It is sad but true.
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, two pastors and an elderly gentleman in his nineties were arrested for feeding the homeless. Their crime was going against a new ordinance that prohibited the feeding of the homeless on the streets. It needs to be in a building. Fort Lauderdale is a tourist community and is home to many affluent people. They want to rid their streets of the homeless because of the almighty dollar. Another sad scenario of what some consider important.
Matthew 25:45 says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” When we turn our back on the homeless, we are turning our back on Jesus. A few days ago, I came across a scrounger outside of Starbucks. Scroungers, according to Lars Eighner, author of “My Daily Dumpster Dives” are people in search of cans for money. I have seen this man before when I used to pick up baked goods from Starbucks to feed the homeless with Streets for Christ. I gave him a bag of bagels once or twice. When I saw him a few days ago, I asked him if he would like a cup of coffee and something to eat. He whispered, “Yes, please.” So I went inside and bought him a Grande Salted Caramel Mocha Latte and a sweet roll. When I came out and gave it to him I said, “God bless you.” The look in his eyes was pure gratefulness and he said, “God bless you too.”
Sometimes I have come across people on the streets who are simply out for the money and I can usually tell the difference. When I was in New Orleans, I heard a long sob story from this guy about how he lost his daughter in Hurricane Katrina and he didn’t have a home. I knew he was lying, but God told me to give him twenty dollars. I heard him laughing later about how gullible I was. I walked up to him and said, “I didn’t give you money because of your sob story. I gave you money because God told me to. He wants you to know he loves you and cares for you. This was his gift to you, not mine.” I wish you could have seen the look on his face. He stood in utter humility before me. I could see his remorse. He was hearing the voice of God through me. I wasn’t special that day, but God spoke to him through His vessel. Our God is special in that he cares about those who are liars and cheaters. Most of all he cares about the homeless who are out on the streets.
The streets may not love you, but God does. He uses Streets for Christ, The House of Mercy, Open Door Mission and countless individuals who care about the homeless to minister to them, to feed them, to clothe them, and to love them. This holiday season consider donating to an organization that feeds the homeless in your area. This semester my ENG 101 classes are donating food and clothing to the homeless in our area. They are also giving of their time as well. It excites me to see the power of God at work. Let him work through you as well this holiday season and all year. You will be blessed when you bless others who are in need. Thank you!
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